RR Strongest XI vs DC: IPL 2026 Match 62 Preview and Expected Lineup
Contents
The High Stakes of Match 62
The intensity of the IPL 2026 season continues to escalate as we approach Match 62. On Sunday, May 17, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) are set to lock horns with the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. For the Delhi Capitals, the tournament has been a challenging affair; despite a recent victory over the Punjab Kings, they find themselves languishing in the seventh position with only 10 points. While their path to the playoffs remains mathematically improbable, they remain a dangerous side looking to play the role of party spoilers in front of their home crowd.
Rajasthan Royals: A Do-or-Die Battle
For the Rajasthan Royals, the narrative is entirely different. Sitting at fifth place with 12 points, every remaining game is a virtual knockout. Fresh off a demoralizing 77-run defeat at the hands of the Gujarat Titans, the Royals are desperate to restore their winning momentum. A loss at this stage could effectively end their dreams of a deep run in the tournament, making the match against DC an absolute must-win affair.
Projected RR Playing XI Analysis
Given the lack of depth on their bench, Rajasthan Royals are expected to field a familiar lineup, though the absence of their captain, Riyan Parag, remains a significant concern. Parag missed the previous outing against GT due to a hamstring injury, and with no official update, his participation against Delhi is highly questionable.
The Top Order
The opening partnership of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the explosive Yashasvi Jaiswal has been the bedrock of RR’s campaign. Sooryavanshi, in particular, has been a revelation, racking up 440 runs in 11 matches, including a magnificent century. Their ability to provide a quick start will be vital against the DC bowling attack. Dhruv Jurel is expected to anchor the innings at number three, especially if Parag remains sidelined.
Middle Order and Finishing Duties
The middle order remains an area of scrutiny. Shimron Hetmyer has struggled for form, but in the absence of other experienced alternatives, the team management continues to place their faith in his power-hitting capabilities. Ravindra Jadeja provides crucial balance, while Donovan Ferreira remains an essential asset for his ability to find the boundaries in the death overs. Shubham Dubey, tasked with filling in for the injured Parag, will look to prove his worth, supported by the veteran finisher Dasun Shanaka, who brings immense T20 experience to the side.
Bowling Attack
Jofra Archer remains the spearhead of the RR bowling unit, having claimed 15 wickets at an impressive average of 24.33. He will be supported by Tushar Deshpande with the new ball. Brijesh Sharma continues to be a trusted option in the pace department. Spin duties will be primarily handled by Ravindra Jadeja, with the team likely utilizing the Impact Player rule to bring in specialized spinners like Ravi Bishnoi or Yash Raj Punja depending on the pitch conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Expected RR Playing XI vs DC
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Donovan Ferreira
- Shubham Dubey
- Dasun Shanaka
- Jofra Archer
- Tushar Deshpande
- Brijesh Sharma
Impact Player Strategy
The tactical use of the Impact Player will be key for Rajasthan. With the squad depth limited, players like Yash Raj Punja, Adam Milne, Ravi Bishnoi, and Ravi Singh provide the necessary flexibility to either bolster the batting depth or strengthen the bowling attack midway through the contest. As the Royals look to keep their playoff dreams alive, consistency in these roles will be the ultimate deciding factor.
